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Tag: Anambra

  • Members of robbery gang from Onitsha shot dead in Ogun

    Two members of a robbery gang believed to have arrived from Onitsha, Anambra State, for planned series of attacks in Ogun State have been shot dead in Ijebu-Ode area of the State by Operatives of the Federal Special Anti – Robbery Squad(F – SARS).

    The suspects were spotted at the Ijebu – Ode Government Reservation Area(GRA) by the F – SARS, following an intelligence passed to the Ogun State Police Command that the gang from Onitsha had entered Ijebu-Ode with a mission to terrorize residents and visitors.

    It was learnt that when the gang sighted the F- SARS Operatives, the robbers in bid to escape, engaged the Operatives in a gun battle and in the process, two of them were shot dead while two others escaped with bullet wounds.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, who confirmed this in a release, stated that the suspects were shot dead on Monday in a gun duel encounter and listed an Ak47 riffle marked 804403, two pump action guns with defaced breach numbers, fifty seven rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, thirty two rounds of live cartridges, some assorted charms and unregistered Toyota Previa bus as items recovered from the gang.

    Abimbola added that the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, has given directive to the Operatives to hunt down the fleeing members of the gang while hospitals and traditional healers have also been advised to notify the Police if anybody with gunshot injury is brought to them.

  • Youths benefit from Anambra DigiPrenueur Week

    No fewer than 1,000 youths from different parts of Anambra State are participating at the maiden DigiPrenueur Week to learn about opportunities in the digital space.

    The Digital Entrepreneurship training programme is part of the State Government’s strategy to preparing the youths to face the World.

    This was contained in the message by the State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano who was represented by the Deputy, Dr Nkem Okeke.

    The Governor said that the maiden Anambra DigiPrenueur Week tagged `The Next Level’ in Awka was in line with administration’s programme for the youths.

    He reminded the youths that business in the contemporary world, has moved from archaic brick and mortar approach to modern information driven system.

    Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor said that the Obiano led Administration remains the most youth friendly governor with over 65 per cent of them as appointees of his government and some of the youngest commissioners in the country.

    He expressed the hope that with the training and subsequent mentorship, Anambra would raise the pool of entrepreneurs that would dictate the pace in the digital world.

    Addressing the participants, Mr Bonaventure Enemali, the Commissioner for Youth Empowerment and Creative Economy, said the weeklong event is apt to motivate, mentor and provide platform for Anambra Youths to network and take advantage of the growing impact of ICT.

    “This is apt and part of the plans to empower Anambra Youths for greater contribution to State Economy by introducing the participants to different digital entrepreneurship opportunities.

    “Through this medium, it will promote internet-based enterprises and entrepreneurship and the mentorship/sponsorships to select Startups is a way of launching them into the digital entrepreneurship terrain effectively”, the Commissioner added.

    In his welcome address, Mr Ifeanyi Aniagoh, Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Youth Empowerment and Digital Entrepreneurship said that the programme was meant for youth including employed and unemployed graduates.

    Aniagoh said that it also included undergraduates and any other interested persons who wished to explore business opportunities available in the digital world.

    He said that there were lots of opportunities for internet users to make good business but decried that the right attitude and environment had not been created for them to earn legitimately.

    The governor’s aide said that the training was free with digital tools of over N2 million for distribution to outstanding trainees with mentoring of not less than six months.

    “Through this DigiPrenueur campaign, we will teach people what and how to rightly use the digital space; it focuses on self development, value reorientation and digital skills development.

    “Through creating digital entrepreneurs, we wish to eradicate unemployment, insecurity, end internet fraud also have youths who will dominate the age of digital economy,” he said.

    Also speaking, Mr Celestine Achi, the Founder, DigitalPR-wire and Online Reputation Manager, said digital sector was a sure way to go in the post-recession economy of Nigeria.

    Achi, who is one of the resource persons at the training, commended Obiano for creating the enabling environment that encouraged people to seek and exploit opportunities in the Information Technology sector.

    He said that his firm and TechEconomy.ng would empower successful trainers with about 500 units of digital tools.

    In his remark, Stanley Uzochukwu, the Chief Executive Officer of Stanel World, Awka said it was time that youths were positioned to take their place in the information age.

    Uzochukwu who is a major partner in the project urged participants to take the training seriously as leading social media, digital and information technology entrepreneurs have been invited to deliver hands-on practical lectures.

  • Anambra empowers youths with arts

    Anambra State  Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, Indigenous Artworks, Culture and Tourism Mrs. Sally Mbanefo has said Governor Willie Obiano-led administration is working towards empowering the youths through a talent hunt.

    The purpose of the hunt, she said, is to discover culturally-talented youths, train and empower them to be useful to themselves and the society.

    Mrs. Mbanefo, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Tony Ezenwaka, spoke at the first Anambra talent hunt, organised by the ministry, in collaboration with Black Heritage Creative Entertainment International at Beautiful Gate Hotel in Awka.

    She noted that the hunt was part of  Obiano’s agenda  to further uphold the Igbo culture through arts. ”Arts is an aspect of our culture that has almost gone into extinction, that is why the present administration has included indigenous artworks to the Ministry’s portfolio to enable the state government through arts to recreate, polish and brush up our culture,” she said.

    She, therefore, advised the youths to utilise the kind gesture from the government and explore it to the fullest.

    Earlier, Director,  Culture in the Ministry,  Nkiru Ekemordi, a Barrister, said Anambra talent hunt is a platform created for the youths in the state to showcase their various talents in different forms so that they can be gainfully engaged to help reduce crime in the society.

    She said the audition was a hunt for cultural dancers, actors, drummers, flutists, Igbo rappers (IMA mbe) artists,(painting,drawing, beadmaking ) and acrobats.

    Ekemordi added that successful participants will be entitled to be a member of Anambra State Cultural Troupe to represent the state in various cultural outings and participate in the 2018 European tour.

    Also, in a separate remark, Dr Tochukwu Okeke of Theatre Arts Department, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and Mr. Okoji Robot, Director of Culture in  Abia State, commended the Governor and the Ministry for the laudable step in helping the youths to discover their talent and for empowering them through their talents.

    They stated that this will help get the youths off the streets while appealing to the state government to further build a cultural center for the Ministry to serve as a rallying point for the young talents.

     

  • Anambra: Memories of a July 10

    July 10 2003! It is 15 years already. How time flies. Yes, 15 years since the foundation of the modern Anambra State was laid. A decade and half off the era of bondage and hopelessness as liberation came that fateful day through a failed coup attempt on the governor of the state, Chris Nwabueze Ngige.   For five and half hours that day; 10am to 3.30 pm, the late Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Ralph Ige and his AK 47-wielding  Deputy Superintendent of Police held him hostage at the Anambra Government House, Awka. The ‘coupists’ had forged a resignation letter and sent same to the Anambra State House of Assembly. It is  history but the ugly event became a blessing in disguise as it turned a springboard for  the emancipation of the state from the manacles of godfatherism.

    But the event of July 10 would have paled into insignificance without the renaissance it ushered in. It was a period of self-re-discovery, an end to narrowness. As the governor firmly retrieved the plough of the governance, he hit the ground running. Anambra was a state then notorious for violent crimes and insecurity, dilapidated infrastructures as in overly collapsed state and federal roads , decrepit schools, hospitals, urban and rural water supply, disillusioned and demoralized workforce  in the state civil and public service as well as  local government, with unpaid  arrears of salaries and allowances, even to those on essential services such as  doctors, nurses and other health workers. Teachers and pensioners were asked to get theirs in heaven. A failed state Anamabra almost was!

    Ngige was  governor for only 34 months but within that short period, he breathed a new lease of life into the state. His managerial skill, prudence, frugality in the management of government resources, honesty, doggedness and determination to surmount all challenges gave birth to a new state. In a very brief period of time,  Ndi-Anambra, the people long used to self-effort, realized for once, that there could be government, and that the government could provide for the people. He made them realize that the state has a treasury and that the treasury is meant to carter for their collective needs.  Starting with the civil servants, he instituted the Governor’s Executive Order to make salaries of civil servants  deducted as first line charge from the consolidated revenue of the state.  For the first time, salaries became paid as and when due while pensioners enjoyed an instant 143% rise. Gratuity and severance benefits were also paid to deserving retirees.

    Then, came the road revolution that is yet to be out-classed till date. It is not surprising therefore that  a state under the shadows of erosion, gully and craters, in matter of months became a reference point for standard state and federal roads.

    In education, the Ngige administration signed the first Memorandum of Understanding(MOU) with religious bodies for the return of schools to the missions, going further to approve a solid machinery for sustained government grants to them. The administration also initiated a strong partnership with UBEC and uplifted the status of primary and secondary schools with new buildings, teaching aides, while recruiting new teachers. At the Anambra State University where he met  a glorified secondary school, apart from new buildings and other infrastructures, which sprang up within its campuses courtesy of a generous 2003 upliftment grant to the institution, the administration secured accreditation for 32 courses for the university  in 2005.   Being a medical doctor, the governor expeditiously brought the infamous 18 months strike by doctors to an end and partnered  international donor agencies to give a new lease of life to medical care in the state, paying off counterpart funds owed these donor agencies.

    Under security,  the Anambra Vigilante Service was reformed and aligned to the Nigerian Police and the DSS under an enabling law by the Anambra State House of Assembly. As the  men of the vigilante service were adequately trained and equipped, a state once notorious for violent crimes turned the most secured enclave as persuasion, job creation  and exemplary leadership which the administration engaged as  crime fighting tools paid off !

    It was under this era that  the state epithet was changed  from Home to All which derogatorily and impliedly suggested even home for criminals to Light of the Nation in view of the unequaled contributions the citizens of the state, dead and living made to the freedom and greatness of Nigeria and in line with the light  which Ngige brought back to the state. Ngige rested the ghost of religious dichotomy in the state  by ensuring that all denominations were treated equal in appointments and other benefits.

    Though two attempts to return to the government house was frustrated by the reigning scourge of  non-credible elections, the people of Anambra Central stoutly resisted such electoral heist to vote him in 2011 to represent them in the Senate and he didn’t disappoint.  It is on record that all the communities in the senatorial zone got at least one transformer reinforcement as well as rehabilitation work  under his constituency project. As a frontline member of the Senate Committee on Health, he was at the forefront of the legislative push that made the 2014 National Health Insurance Act a reality. His voice was also heard on many topical issues as he  sponsored and co- sponsored many bills and motions.

    Today as the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Ngige has lived up to expectation as an eagle on a very tall iroko. Under his deft diplomatic engagement, Nigeria was successfully returned  to the Governing Board of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), also securing the membership of four strategic committees. The import of this on the inflow of technical assistance for the country is already bearing fruits . His sterling representation also attracted the attention of other African Ministers at the Governing Board meeting of the ILO in October 2017 as they  nominated him to lead the Africa position on the vexed issue of neo-colonialism in the ILO.  Earlier in February 2017, he successfully engineered an end to an obvious dictatorship by the South African countries led by Zimbabwe at the African Regional Labour Centre ( ARLAC) making sure  Nigeria was also elected  vice president of the organisation.

    At home, his skilled and patriotic approach to labour administration opened a new chapter in government/labour relations. While the new national minimum wage is in the works, Ngige has in less than two years in office created a conducive atmosphere for social dialogue leading to the arrest of myriads of labour unrests and saving thousands of jobs in the financial, petroleum and construction sectors. It is to his credit that in spite of economic recession, the federal government has retrenched no staff either in the ministries, agencies or parastatals. Besides, his unique vision on job creation has shifted  the emphasis from the diminishing white collar jobs to the elastic opportunities that abound in blue collar skills with the rehabilitation of skills acquisition centres  across the country.

  • FG to take delivery of N10.7bn rice mill Dec 2019

    The Federal Government has said the N10.7 billion integrated rice milling machines procured by the Federal Government will be delivered in December, 2019.

    Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, disclosed this Monday at the pact signing with MV Agro Engineers, suppliers of the farm equipment, in Abuja.

    Ogbeh explained that the benefiting states would indicate interest as off-takers, make 10 percent down payment and express technical capacity to own and operate a mill.

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) in April approved N10.7bn for the establishment of 10 new rice mills in the six geopolitical zones.

    The 10 participating states include Kaduna, Anambra, Kogi, Benue, Bayelsa, Niger, and Bauchi. Others are Kebbi, Ogun, Zamfara while the mills are expected to produce 100 tons of rice per day.

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    The Bank of Agriculture (BoA) is expected to take over the loan repayment in the next 10 years.

    “As these people arrive, they will install these mills and the BoA will take over the loans repayment over a period of 10 years,” Ogbeh said.

    Asked if the 18 months deadline could be reviewed upward, the minister noted that, “building machines is not cheap. It’s a scientific thing. These people say they may do it faster but we give them 18 months, so there won’t be issues for delays.”

    According to him, there are about 16 existing large rice mills from the already procured 100 mills.

    The minister added that 16 large machines would mill 100 tons of rice paddy daily while others could mill about 300 tons daily.

    “Dangote just brought in 10 milling machines which will produce 1 million tons of rice per annum but there are smaller ones we gave out, about 200 mills of 10 tons and 20 tons per annum operating in villages and small corners equipped with the stoners.

    “We are buying smaller mills and giving them out because the smaller mills produce more rice than the big mills added up but they are scattered all over the country. Virtually every state has small rice mills somewhere, Niger, Bayelsa, Benue, Taraba, Adamawa, Ebonyi, Katsina and Jigawa,” he stated.

    He commended the contractors advising them to supply adequate quality spare parts.

    In his remarks, the Managing Director, Bank of Agriculture, Kabir Mohammed restated commitment to ensure the project is successful while meeting the delivery targets.

    He said the project financing would not be a challenge.

    The Managing Director, Jamu Babba Dan’agundi, leader of the delegation commended the federal government for the gesture.

    He promised to deliver the machines as scheduled.

  • Couple kill cousin for beating children over ‘pot of soup’

    A 35-year old woman was allegedly beaten to death by a couple over scuffle she had with their children in Okpo village, Ekwulobia, in Aguata local government area of Anambra State.

    The deceased, identified as Uju, said to be related to the couple, Mr and Mrs Okafor, reportedly gave up the ghost following series of flogging by the suspects.

    The Nation gathered that the children of the suspects were playing football within their compound in the evening of the fateful day when their ball suddenly fell into the deceased’s pot of soup, which she seized.

    “Okafor’s children rushed immediately and reported the matter to their mother who did not take it lightly, as she hurriedly went over to Uju’s apartment and pounced on her,” one of the neighbors said.

    The neighbor, who preferred anonymity added that while the fight ensued, her (Okafor) husband, who got wind of the incident, rushed to the scene and teamed with his wife to flog the deceased.

    According to the source, the beating persisted until the deceased collapsed and lost consciousness, adding that she was later rushed to Dionye Memorial Hospital where she was confirmed dead by the doctor.

    Reacting, the chairman of the community, Chief Peter Odika, confirmed the incident, describing it as abomination.

    He explained that the deceased was Mr Okafor’s second cousin, adding that the village would meet, while they wait for the police to conclude its investigations.

    “The accused will be made to undergo certain cleansing rites in order to appease the gods of the land and to avert whatever curse such an abominable act could attract,” he added.

    When our correspondent visited the town, some angry women from the village were seen protesting against the act, chanting “it is an abomination, an abomination has occurred.”

    Efforts to get the reaction of the state police spokesperson, Mohammed Haruna, was unsuccessful, but a police officer who preferred anonymity, said the suspects were presently cooling off in Ekwulobia Police station.

  • Obiano present cash gifts, laptops to 11 ex corps members

    Eleven NYSC members of 2016 Batch B Stream II set were yesterday rewarded by the Anambra state governor, Chief Willie Obiano for distinguishing themselves during their one year national service in the state.

    The awardees, nine males and two females, were rewarded with Governor’s and State’s Awards, comprising of cash donations and laptops.

    Speaking during the award presentation ceremony in Awka, the governor commended them for their patriotism, commitment and resilience during their service year, which stood them out from their peers.

    Obiano, represented by the Commissioner for Youth Empowerment and Creative Economy, Bonadventure Enemali, said the award was in demonstration of the importance the state attaches to hard work and selfless service both to the state and the nation.

    “It is not an easy feat to emerge the best out over two thousand corps members who were deployed to the state with you for the national service.

    “You proved yourself as leaders by not only identifying the problems in your host communities, but finding ways of solving them,” he said.

    The governor reminded them that expectations from them were high which they could afford to toy with, challenging them not to relent in their future endeavours.

    Earlier, the NYSC State Coordinator, Mr kehinde Aremu, said the award beneficiaries were subjected to a rigorous selection process, including their participation in the orientation course and Community Development Service as well as their conduct all through the service year.

    Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Thomas Effiong, a first class graduate of Business Education and Accounting from University of Uyo, expressed appreciation to the governor for the gesture.

    He pledged to invest the money into rice production, a business he said he commenced soon after his service.

  • Yul Edochie appointed SSA to Anambra State Gov.

    Ace Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie has been appointed Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Creative & Entertainment Media to Anambra State Governor,Willie Obiano.

    The actor made this known on his Instagram page,@yuledochie on Friday, expressing gratitude to the Governor and the people of the state.

    He wrote :”I thank His Excellency Chief Dr. Willie Obiano (Akpokue Dike) Executive Governor of Anambra State for appointing me, his SSA on Creative & Entertainment Media.

    “Thank you sir, for seeing the zeal in me to serve the people and believing in me.

    “ Special thanks to Ndi Anambra, Ndi youth for your support and prayers, I will not let you down.

    “To all my fans and friends all over the world, thank you for your support, love, and prayers.”

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    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Edochi contested for governorship of Anambra under the Democratic Peoples Congress in 2017 and polled 145 votes to lost the the incumbent.

    NAN reports that Edochie who is the son of Pete Edochie, one of Nigerian foremost veteran actors.

    He studied Dramatic Arts at the University of Port Harcourt and made his Nollywood debut in 2005 in the movie “The Exquires” alongside the late veterans Justus Esiri and Enebeli Elebuwa.

    He came to limelight in 2007 after featuring alongside Genevieve Nnaji and Desmond Elliot in the movie “Wind Of Glory.”

  • Health workers give Enugu, Anambra three months to address CONHESS issues 

    The Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), has given the governments of Anambra and Enugu states three months to address the impending issues of CONHESS or face the wrath of the workers

    The National Vice President of MHWUN, South East zone, Comrade Ikechukwu Nwafor, said this Friday in Awka, Anambra state, during its zonal workshop and meeting of the Union at the Noble Hotels.

    He said the issue with Anambra was the disparity in payment of the CONHESS, where local government pays 40 percent to health workers, while their counterparts in the state pay 60 percent, calling for the harmonization.

    But in Enugu said, Nwafor said nothing had been started, adding that Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states were 100 percent on the CONHESS issue.

    “We are giving these governments in the South East three months or we use every other available means at our disposal to get our rights and they should not allow us to exercise it”

    The Anambra state Chairman of MHWUN, comrade Chinwe Orizu, commended the state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano for the prompt payment of workers’ salaries in the state, while calling on him to address the disparity.

    She said the Union had written several letters drawing the attention of the Governor to the discrimination and the committee setup to look into labour issues for the past one year, had not equally submitted its report.

    On contributory pension Scheme, she said notwithstanding the overwhelming opposition of workers to the scheme, government still deduct from worker’s salary.

    The Head of Service HoS, Harry Uduh, who was represented by Permanent Secretary, Establishments, Carol Njaka, said the state government and workers relationship had been cordial in the state, adding that they should be patient.

    For the Permanent Secretary, Environment, Okafor S N, represented by Rev Sis Monic Okeke, workers should be united in everything they do, adding that they should not allow ‘bad blood ‘ divide them.

  • Dogara dispels allegations of witch hunting over investigation of NDPHC

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives,  Yakubu Dogara has said that the investigation of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) Ltd over alleged  misappropriation of over N10 trillion ($30b) should not be misconstrued as witch hunting.

    The Speaker said the company that is being funded by tax payer’s money has refused to follow due process by failing to present its expenditure to the National Assembly while spending without legislative approvals.

    He said the investigation of over $30b of public fund by the company since 2005 was borne out of the need to find a lasting solution to the challenges in the nation’s power sector that has adversely affected all efforts to transform the nation’s economy.

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    NDPHC Ltd, established in 2005 was funded with $8.5b by the Federal, States and Local governments (LGs) with the Federal government bearing 47 percent of the cost while and 53 percent was shared by the State and 774 LGs.

    The shareholding composition of the company was 937,648,742 for the Federal Ministry of Finance Incorporated, 710,864,796 shares for States, 351,486,461 shares for LGS and 1 share for the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

    Dogara, spoke Thursday at an investigative hearing by the Darlington Nwokocha-led ad hoc Committee where he said the House was particularly concerned about making the NDPHC to work to fulfil its intended objectives as an important agency in the nation’s electricity industry.

    Represented by the Deputy Minority Leader, Chukwuka Onyeama (PDP, Anambra), the Speaker said the House will not relent until all allegations of misuse of N10.08 trillion (about $30b) by NDPHC is unraveled.

    He said the investigation became imperative as more than half of the money was sourced from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) belonging to the three tiers of government.

    He said: “From the information made available to the National Assembly, the NDPHC Ltd. has since 2005 invested over $30b, over half of which was sourced from the ECA belonging to the three tiers of Government, while the balance consists of funds from other investors.

    “As a Limited Liability Company, the operations, management and accounting procedures of the NDPHC Limited is subject to the overriding provisions of the Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in general, and the Companies and Allied Matters Act, (CAMA), in particular.

    “However, the available information is that the Company has failed to comply with very serious and important provisions of the Law, such that the very essence of the company, and by extension the NIPP, is seriously threatened.

    “Furthermore, the NDPHC does not submit its annual budget and project plans for appropriation by the National Assembly, while, as alleged, it also generates Internally Generated Revenues (IGR) in trillions of Naira, which cannot be determined because it is neither divulged nor paid into the coffers of the Government, but rather expended by the company without Legislative approval or input from the other tiers of Government.

    “Most importantly, information available from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) conveys very disturbing signals that the trillions of Naira purportedly invested into the NIPP by the Federal, the 36 States and the 774 Local Governments have not been securitized as only two billion Naira is said to be registered as shares in the CAC for the three tiers of Government”.

    However, while NDPHC’s Chairman, Managing Director (MD), Chinedu Ugbo claimed to be unaware of specific allegations of funds misappropriation, the Association Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) disclosed that it was unaware of its participation in the formation of the company.

    The MD sought the indulgence of the Committee to amend the presentation earlier made to the Committee after the legal representative of the company, Olusola Oke, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) was denied audience by the Committee

    Ugbo afterward restated the submission of his legal adviser that he was unaware of the specific allegations of financial infractions.

    He pleaded for time to enable him report back at a later date for a comprehensive response to the allegations.

    On his part, the Director General of the Nigerian Governor’s Forum (NGF), Abdullateef Shittu, who could not make a comprehensive submission, however disclosed that shares belonging to the Local Governments were delivered through the NGF.

    Shittu pleaded with the Committee for more time to provide detailed information requested due to the short notice of the invitation.

    On his part, the consultant that represented ALGON, Mohammed Ali said the organizational was not aware of its investment in NDPHC.

    Ali said ALGON has never been invited to NDPHC’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) and neither has it received Share Certificate or dividends for its investments in the company since inception in 2005.

    ALGON demanded for 10 years audited account of the company to enable it make informed decision on what next step to take about its investment in the company.

    A member of the Committee, Abiodun Olasupo (Oyo state) wondered whether NGF was trying to shield certain interests by failing to make a detailed presentation on account of short notice.

    He said ALGON got the invitation same time with NGF and was able to make its presentation.

    Earlier, Committee Chairman Nwokocha said the House was forced to launch the investigation due to the avalanche of petitions on allegations against the composition, management and operations of the company.

    “This investigation into afford all stakeholders an opportunity to participate and be heard on this issue of national importance,” he said.

    The hearing was adjoined indefinitely.